All I know is Phoenix better hope they don't get us or Dallas in the first and 2nd round or it's over for them.
Does anyone else think its dangerous for the Suns to gell without their superstar? I mean look at the 03-04 Kings, they gelled real well without Webber, but then as soon as he got back they sucked. Amare and Webber are two different players (with Amare being better), however couldn't that screw up the chemistry?
i just don't see what the big deal is. the suns play their best defensive game ever, the spurs play as badly as they can on offense, and still are in the game till the very end. is that something to be that proud of? i congratulate the suns for knocking us off, but it's nothing to brag about.
They are better defensively, but I would argue that last night it was more the Spurs lack of patience on the offensive end rather than anything the Suns did. I would also point to Tony's poor play in the latter part of the 3rd qtr. when Manu and the Spurs had the momentum but thanks to Tony's bad shot selection, bad decisions and his failure to let Manu take over the game really killed the Spurs and let the Suns off the hook. It was difficult to get anything going after that. Having survived the Spurs great defensive stand there they got reenergized and were able to pull it out. I really believed the Spurs were going to win this game. I hope Tony learns something from last nights game.
The suns win 1 ing game and they think they are automatic championship contenders! This happens everytime, like as if they are seeking approval or crying for attention. Its the same with all of ya'll. With nugget fans, pacer fans, mav fans and you guys. The reason your town booed manu is because he owned them in the playoffs last year! And to compare each other defences is stupid! the suns are nowhere close to where detriot or san antonio are or will be in the april.
Webber was never the same player after that injury. It remains to be seen what effect that injury has on Amare. They will however go through a lull where they have to adjust to their new roles and Amares. I really don't think it will affect them that much, because the one guy who controls their game, Nash will quickly adapt. I have so much admirations for this guy's game, that I think that the Suns will only go as far as Nash's legs take them. I figure as soon as Nash runs out of gas they fold. It happened last year, and it's happened with the Mavs teams that Nash was on. If this guy is healthy and strong I have no doubt they can win the le, defense be damned. The key of course is to wear him out. Which the Spurs have done quite well every time they have faced him in the playoffs.
Compare:
2004-2005 Phoenix Suns
#17 in the league in Defensive Efficiency
#10 in the league in defensive eFG%
2005-2006 Phoenix Suns
#2 in the league in Defensive Efficiency
tied for #3 in the league in defensive eFG%
-------------
Sorry to dissapoint you but the Suns aren't just a good defensive team this year, they're a great one. And it has nothing to do with Amare being out. It has everything to do with adding Diaw, Bell, Thomas, and Jones and changing to man to man defense. I mean Nash isn't a great defender either but the Suns defense isn't hurt much at all with him in the lineup. We're a completely different team then last season. And by the way statistically our worst defender was easily Quentin Richardson last season, not Amare. I see losing him as addition by subtraction.
The Suns will greatly be improved with Amare back. Last year he led the league in Points Per Shot and free throws attempted. He also will be able to rotate back to Power Forward where he's more effective defensively more then last year.
I expect the lineup with Amare to be this:
Nash
Diaw
Marion
Amare
Thomas
----
As many of you have mentioned Diaw has been vital to our success this year and will not just be tossed out of the starting lineup when Amare returns.
We'll probably also play this lineup often:
Nash
Bell
Diaw
Marion
Amare
-----
This lineup has a great combination of shut down defenders (Bell, Diaw, Marion), a wonderkid passer (Nash), and the most dominent force in the league (Amare). It'll be really tough to beat.
Webber also had a long history of knee injurys and was already past the peak of his career. Medically there is a much higher likelyhood for a young player like Amare to return to full strength. Also people don't give Amare's determination enough credit... he wants to win more than anyone in the league.
Last night I didn't really see any difference in the Suns' defense than last year. Just a lot of missed shots from the Spurs.
If anything I think Popovich's wacky rotations let the Suns off the hook. I think he's experimenting too much. I have no idea how any player can get in a rhythm being subbed every 3 minutes. Good thing that kind of thing won't be happening in the playoffs...at least I hope it doesn't.
I love the parade of excuses.
Like the Suns didn't miss any open shots or make any mental mistakes at the end.
It is amazing to me how defensive some people get over a simple question.
Both are very fine teams and it would be a great series, both have improved over last year (if Amare is healthy).
the suns are still giving up 97 ppg. until that comes down i would not call them a great defensive team. i am aware that this is because they use so little shot clock a lot of the time, giving the other team more posessions. but i just don't believe that style will hold up in a 7 game series with a grind it out tempo. i don't think they can win a 7 game series against the spurs if 3-4 of the games have the same tempo as this last one. they would be playing the spurs game, and the spurs will usually win that sort of game.
It's no doubt their defense has improved with the change of players and a stronger emphasis on taking charges, denying the ball, contesting shots and swiping at the ball at all times. The Suns would not have won such a low scoring game a year ago.
The Suns' defense is improved. It is now almost mediocre.
This is actually a good post except for a couple of things that I question, tempe85
Adding Diaw, Bell, Thomas and Jones helped the Suns improve defensively. Thomas is strong in his post defense, although troubled by foul ac ulation against the top pivots. Diaw, Bell, Jones and Barbosa are all extremely quick with better than average length. The Suns, across the board, have more long wing players than any other team in the NBA. What that means is they are able to close out better. These guys are also very quick, which equates to quicker defensive rotation.
I disagree about how the Suns have changed to man-to-man. They played mostly man D last year but they were lazier (uncommitted) last year on D. I also think Amare will need to show a better commitment to defense in order to improve what the Suns already have now. That is not a given and it is his weakest part of his game.
In the games I've seen them play this year, the Suns sag off more to the lane perimeter in their man-D but rotate hard to the ball. This would help to explain why the Suns lead the league in fewest opponent assists/game. They try to force their opponents to put the ball on the floor...and there is no assist if that happens. Their sagging D and excellent length enables the Suns to be in position to have excellent defensive rebounding numbers (near the top in the NBA) and high shot-blocking numbers (better than the Spurs currently).
Secondarily, the Suns almost totally ignore offensive rebounding in favor of transition D. All of that length, speed, effort and defensive positioning equates to a much improved defense year-over-year from 2004/05. Only 4 teams are better statistically.
What do you expect you ing re ?
This is a Spurs forum.
Yes, the Suns are good, they've always been good and...
they are going home before the conference finals...
again...
now run along and stfu already.
^Ahh, the Sunshine of Spurstalk
ESPN has an article regarding the Suns D and Pistons O. Bottom line, Phoenix plays D, Detroit, not as much. It is not an Insider article, yet.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insid...26id%3d2286615
Another analyst gets it.
You are not basing it on one game, are you? If you do, then you would also think that the Suns defense is better than the Spurs defense (41.3% vs. 48.5% FG%), which we all know, is not true. The Suns has always been a decent defensive team, just not at the level of the Spurs or Pistons, and their improvement from last year is minimal.
Where was your defense tonight?
Good question. That'll teach 'em to play only 2 bench players against the Spurs and then go play up-tempo in al ude. Looks like the Suns D took the night off.
Didn't they give up 140 in a game last week?
Suns don't play defense, Spurs are just ing lost on offense.
Either that or they were tired.
Maybe D antoni will stretch the bench from 2 to 3 or maybe, GASP 4!!!
They are not, made for the freakin playoffs.
Against a solid defensive team, that runs
pretty much a cheap stupid version of the spurs.
Well, the Nuggets are a motivated version right now...
That simple.
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